Southern Bays and Beaches

Southern Bays and Beaches

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Coogee Beach (Photo Destination NSW)

Explore what Captain Cook discovered and have fun along the way.

ANZAC PARADE starts at Taylor Square in Darlinghurst and will take you to all the way to LA PEROUSE on Botany Bay’s South Head.
Along the way, picnic, walk, cycle or just relax in CENTENNIAL PARKLANDS, a gift to the people of Sydney in 1888 to celebrate the Centenary of Settlement. Tel: (02) 9339 6699 www.centennialparklands.com.au

Centennial Park (Photo Hamilton Lund; Destination NSW)

ABORIGINAL PEOPLE lived undisturbed around BOTANY BAY for thousands of years until English explorer, JAMES COOK, sailed into Botany Bay on the barque ‘Endeavour’ in April 1770 and landed at Kurnell on the southern headland.

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Botany Bay was found by Captain Phillip to be an unsuitable place to set up the penal colony he was sent to establish and the FIRST FLEET of 11 vessels carrying 759 convicts that arrived in January 1788 sailed on to Port Jackson marking the beginning of European settlement in Australia.
Today Botany Bay is still the entry point for international and domestic travelers arriving at SYDNEY AIRPORT. Its runway stretches into Botany Bay almost to the point where the ‘Endeavour’ anchored. Port Botany on Foreshore Drive is Sydney’s major freight port.

Coogee Beach (Photo Destination NSW)

LA PEROUSE, on the northern headland of Botany Bay, is named after French explorer, Comte de LapErouse, who arrived in Botany Bay just as the First Fleet was preparing to leave. Trace his exploits at the Laperouse Museum. Open Sundays.